Hyderabad: Recipient of Swachh Award Colony faces several issues

Kondapur: Once a proud recipient of 'Swachh Colony' award from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in 2017, Nagarjuna Residency colony spans a sprawling 9.6 acres, of which four acres are dedicated to landscape, gardening and colony welfare, lending a lush green look to the colony. The colony has 12 blocks with 10 storeyed buildings occupied by 425 families. The residency is a highly secured zone with 120 surveillance cameras installed covering every nook and corner of the colony.

Nagarjuna Residency Flat Owner's Welfare Association (NRFOWA) has spent nearly Rs 2.67 crore to install 250 KW solar power unit. In fact, it is the first colony in Hyderabad to install solar unit on the colony premises. Above all, it has employed 130 people to maintain cleanliness and greenery in the residency. Besides the clean and green mission, the association also organises cultural events such as dance, yoga and other activities apart from festival celebrations and events. It also has a swimming pool and mini 9,200 - seated auditorium for parties and functions.

However, though the association colony is prompt in taking up the colony issues within its purview, but it is helpless in areas that come under the civic authorities. NRFOWA has been consistently making representations to GHMC demanding immediate action on open drain flowing behind the colony and roads, streetlights and healthy surroundings to live peacefully.

"We are unable to come out of flats in the evenings because of high mosquito population. The open drain around the residency has become the breeding ground for mosquitoes," said Santhosh, a resident of the colony.

"We have been always in the list of top three well developed and maintained colonies in most of the competitions held by government and private agencies. NRFOWA monitors every activity in the colony and resolves issues promptly. But, our residency is greatly disappointed with the services of GHMC," according to L Sathyanarayana, president of NRFOWA.

The association members said they have been requesting for road extension for years and a proposal was also submitted two years ago but no action has been taken so far. Once in a blue moon, GHMC officials visit the residency and makes tall promises but nothing is resolved.

"We hardly need six lights to illuminate our street, but it's very strange why the electricity department is so complacent. The colony has no streetlights and the few poles that exist, are damaged. Our major concern is the open drain causing health issues to the residents, and we are forced to shut doors and windows to keep away mosquitoes entering our flats," added Satyanarayana.

Residents want the GHMC to carry awareness and instill basic civic sense among the nearby slum-dwellers as they are causing air pollution by burning garbage and open urination and defecation is a common sight. Permanent solution for open drain, road extension and re-construction of roads and streetlights are needed in priority, they urge.

Major Issues

• Open drain flowing on three sides of Nagarjuna Residency causing pollution and health issues frequently due to mosquito menace

• Road extension which was proposed two years ago but no action has been initiated yet

• Open defecation and burning of garbage by nearby dwellers polluting the air and environment

• Urgent need of streetlights in the lane as after sunset residents are forced to use torch lights due to darkness